Out of the Fog Page #4

Stella.

Stella, I want to talk to you.

[ off. Jonah's wife ]

"Are you coming or aren't you?"

Yes dear. I'm coming.

I said I'm coming. I'm coming.

Good evening Mr Goodwin.

- Good evening.

You know, Jonah.

I've been thinking about Goff.

If he wants $5 a week for

such a little boat like ours.

How much would he charge for

an ocean liner like the Leif Ericson?

Well Olaf, we'll worry about a

big boat when we get a big boat.

I enquired this afternoon about

putting the boat in Gravesend bay.

It would take us thirty more minutes to

get to it, but Mr Goff wouldn't be there.

Let's put it in Gravesend Bay then.

Why didn't you say that sooner?

What are we worrying about?

Well, in Gravesend Bay there operates

a man that charges $7.50 a week.

Goff won't come, Olaf.

Wait and you'll see. It was all a bluff.

He'll come .. he'll come.

A man that collects money always comes.

Good evening, sports.

I'm glad to be dealing with a

couple of punctual gentlemen.

I told you Jonah. The man that

collects money always comes.

What's the matter? Don't you recognize

the Admiral of the Sheepshead Bay Navy?

As a matter of fact,

I should get a 17-gun salute.

I'd be glad to give it to you

point blank. - Jonah.

Come on, Olaf.

- Please, Jonah. Be nice to him.

Now look boys, we're here to conduct

business. Let's conduct it friendly.

Remember, we all got to live.

- Get away from our boat!

Come on, Pop, come on. Stop horsing

around. You'd better talk to your friend.

Jonah, make believe he's a new tax.

Who is he that we must pay

him for space in God's ocean?

Just a petty little grafter

taking $5 bills from small people.

But not from me.

For an old guy, you've got

some cock-eyed notions.

He's joking. He's joking,

ain't you, Jonah?

No, I'm not joking.

- Listen, you broken-down old jerk.

Don't you hit my friend.

Olaf .. Olaf.

Are you hurt?

I've been hit harder, Jonah.

I talk .. and you get hit.

I regret to do business this way. I'd

rather keep things on a friendly basis.

What do you want?

- I've prepared a little paper.

Just to keep everything legal.

On this paper it says:

"Olaf Johnson and Jonah Goodwin."

"Have received a loan of

$1,000 at 6% interest."

"And jointly pledge to pay the sum of

$5 a week until the debt is paid off."

This is .. just for my file.

But you didn't lend us anything.

This note says I did .. you sign here.

But I'm a man who makes about $30 a week.

And I support a wife who

is always running to doctors.

Doctor Goff is prescribing

now. My fee is $5.

Pay him, Jonah.

- I'll make a deal with you.

A deal? This is my deal.

Clauses A, B, C and D.

You'll never live to be an old man.

Anyway, I won't starve to death.

I'm in a hurry boys. I got a date.

Come on. Sign.

Right here.

Now let's see how nice you can write.

That's fine. Now, money boys?

Olaf.

- Oh, here.

Now lend me fifty cents.

Have a cigar. It's been a fine week.

Twelve new customers.

There is no telling where this

corporation is going to go.

Thank you very much.

That don't worry me, Pop. Dime cigars.

Well, see you next week. Keep dry and

I'll give your regards to your daughter.

Olaf.

- Yeah?

What was that he said about my daughter?

Is there anyone in here looking for me?

- No, Miss Goodwin. Not that I know of.

I'll have a chocolate soda.

- Yes, ma'am. Right away.

Here you are. Anything else?

- No, thank you.

You shouldn't be drinking that. It will

spoil your taste for better things.

Now, that's twice in a row I win my bet.

How would you like to make

another bet? This time I'll lay odds.

Now, don't get sore. I'm glad you came.

I was hoping you'd come.

Now where do we go tonight, huh?

How about the moon?

- Sure. Fine.

Only we'll stop off at a couple

of other places first, huh?

I hit it! I hit it! For once in

my life I beat the machine!

48,000. Pay me nine nickels.

Keep your shirt on, you'll get paid off.

Hello Stella.

- Hello Buddy.

Let's get out of here.

- Cheque. - Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

- Wait a minute. What's your hurry?

Oh violet perfume. Here, baby.

Like the ads say .. my favourite

smell. How much do I owe you?

That will be $4.68 with the tax.

There is exactly five dollars here.

Keep the change. Let's go.

Stella, must you play that radio again?

Do you hear me? Shut it off.

Alright Mom.

- What did you say?

I said "alright" Mom.

[ door knocks ]

Who is it?

- It's me. Can I come in?

Sure Pop, sure. Come in.

I don't like to disturb you, Stella.

- Pop, will you unbutton me down the back?

Oh sure, sure.

Stella.

Remember the other night when you came

home? You said you'd been out with George.

Yes, Pop.

- You lied to me, didn't you.

Yes I did.

And all those other nights,

you lied. Didn't you?

Yes, I've been lying to you.

You've been going out

with Goff .. haven't you?

Yes, I've been going out with Goff.

Stella .. have I ever

interfered with your life?

Oh no, Pop .. you've been swell.

Just a second.

- But no. This Goff.

Now I have to speak up. Stay away from

him, Stella. Please stay away from him.

He's a bad man.

- He's an exciting man, Pop.

Why, he's been all over the country.

New York, Chicago, Atlantic City.

He's been in jail maybe. Those

other places he's seen in the movies.

He's a disease.

- Well, he's a disease I want to catch.

A disease that makes me able to

sit in the subway in the morning ..

And look at all the people around,

and say to myself "I'm not like them".

I'm not like the people in

the subway. I'm different.

I've got something they haven't got.

- What?

Something, Pop. I don't

know just what, but something.

Look Stella, you're my own daughter.

And I'd like it better than anyone if

you were extraordinary. But you're not.

I don't love you any less for that, baby.

There is nothing so terrible about

being an ordinary person, Stella.

Alright, so I am ordinary .. okay.

Well, ordinary or not, I'm going to take

a fling with Harold Goff. Why shouldn't I?

Listen Stella, do you .. do you

know how Goff makes a living?

He's a cheap racketeer. He takes

money from poor people.

Five dollars, three dollars.

Anything he can get.

If they don't pay, he beats them.

How do you know?

- I know.

I don't believe it .. and

even if it's true, so what?

That's the way world is made, Pop.

The strong take from the weak.

If it wasn't Goff,

it would be somebody else.

I'm afraid he's done you damage already.

Say, Stella.

Maybe .. maybe you need a vacation.

A trip. You work too hard.

- Pop, I've got to get dressed.

Yes .. I'm sure that's what you need.

Where would you like to go?

What's the use of talking about it now?

- Will it hurt to tell me?

Alright .. I'd like to go to Cuba.

I'd like to see the blue Caribbean and

palm trees and natives dancing the rumba.

I'd also like to fly like a bird, and

live in a penthouse with 25 servants.

Oh please, Pop. I've got to get dressed.

Stella, listen to me.

What do you say you take the next

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